12 Signs Of Fake People And How To Deal with Them

Don’t put your trust in the wrong person. These signs of fake people will help you identify them in a crowd and spot their lies.

We all aspire to genuine and supportive relationships. However, not everyone you encounter will share with your their honest opinions or show you their most authentic selves.

This is where fake people come in. They are those who pretend to be someone they are not, often motivated by their own benefits or the desire to fit in.

Having fake people in your life can be an exhausting and disheartening experience, especially when they are close to you. They may cheat, lie, or even exploit those around them.

However, it’s not always easy to spot them in a crowd. They may mix lies with truths or deny their wrongdoings. So in this post, we will discuss the signs of fake people and how to deal with them when they cross your path.

Whether it’s a fake friend, family member, or coworker, you’ll learn practical strategies for protecting your emotional well-being and creating stronger, more authentic connections. So, grab a cup of tea, sit back, and let’s dive in.

Signs of fake people

Fake people can lie to your face.

Lying is one of the most obvious signs of fake people. They are often caught but rarely admit it.

They may lie about their achievements, qualifications, or small things like what they did yesterday for attention, respect, or to avoid consequences.

They may also hide their true intentions or feelings to take advantage of others.

For example, fake people may add experiences they never had to their resumé just to get the job they are not qualified for. They don’t see lying as a shameful behavior but as a tool to get what they want.

Fake people are inconsistent.

Inconsistency is one of the key signs of fake people. When someone doesn’t stick to their authentic selves, they are likely to change their behavior and personality depending on the situation or the social setting.

If you have a fake friend, you may often find them contradict themselves. For example, they may support the LGBTQ community but be against it in another friend group. All they do is try to fit in. But their inconsistency shows a lack of authenticity and self-awareness.

Insincere compliments

Some fake people seem approachable and friendly initially because they are good at flattering. They often shower people with compliments just to gain their favor later. However, these compliments are often vague and disingenuous.

Faked emotions

Fake people not only use words and actions to their benefit. Faking emotions is another sign that someone is inauthentic.

They may pretend to be vulnerable to get empathy and help from others. Or they may pretend to like you but stab you in the back. This way, emotions become a means of manipulation for fake people to take advantage of others.

Fake people are only around when they need you.

Fake people view relationships as a way to benefit themselves. Thus they prioritize their own needs over others. They may use you for your resources, skills, or connections. But when you need their help, they are nowhere to be found.

This sign of fake people often applies to friendships. A fake friend may be charming and considerate when they need something. But they are absent when it’s the other way around. They make promises they don’t keep. And they will always have an excuse.

Fake people gossip and spread rumors

Gossiping is a sign of fake people. They talk behind others’ backs, spreading rumors and negativity. They enjoy creating drama and thrive on other people’s misfortunes, showing a lack of empathy and respect for others.

For example, if a coworker is fake, they may spread rumors about a colleague’s personal life, creating a toxic work environment. What they say isn’t necessarily true. Sometimes they just make up facts to bring others down.

Fake people see the worst in others.

Fake people often feel insecure about themselves. That’s why they hide their true selves from others. That often leads to them projecting their own negativity and doubts onto others.

In other words, liars are more likely to see others as liars. And fake people often doubt or even criticize others’ intentions. And because of their unwelcoming negative energy, fake people rarely keep long-term, genuine relationships.

Lack of empathy

One of the signs of fake people is the lack of empathy. In other words, they don’t care about others’ feelings or well-being. Whether they acknowledge it or not, they are often self-centered and put themselves above others.

This sign is often seen on scammers. They do and say whatever they want to achieve their goals. They don’t care about the victims’ feelings or the consequences they have to bear.

And this characteristic shows in their conversations, as most of them will use “I” instead of “you,” pushing their targets to follow their instructions and fall into the trap.

Fake people are manipulative

Just like toxic people, a fake person can be a good manipulator. Lies, deceit, and gaslighting are just some of their tactics to control others. They may also make you feel less worthy, loved, or capable.

For example, a fake friend may try to blame you for a small mistake you’ve made just to make you feel guilty. So the next time they want something from you, you won’t be able to say no.

Double standards

Fake people say one thing and do another. Their values change all the time because they aren’t genuine. And they tend to be critical of others but allow themselves to do the same things.

For example, a manager may ask employees to work overtime and stick to the deadlines. But at the same time, he’s late for work and unproductive, shifting most of the workload to others. This shows a lack of authenticity and a disregard for ethical values.

Fake people are often selfish

Selfishness is a sign of fake people who are only concerned with their own needs. They prioritize their benefits. And it’s very unlikely they will sacrifice for others, even when others do for them.

It’s hard to befriend or be in love with selfish people because the relationship is often one-sided. If you have a selfish friend, you may feel disrespected because they are all about themselves. It’s also a sign that it’s time to cut ties with them, for they will only let you down.

Jealousy

Fake people are never really happy about your success. Instead, they see every relationship as a competition. And they don’t want others to do better than them. So they may get envious and even try to undermine your achievements.

This often leads to rumors and gossip, especially at work. For example, a coworker pretends to be happy about someone else’s promotion but may secretly feel jealous and resentful.

Worse, some fake people may even go out of their way to spread rumors just to sabotage other people’s success. That’s why fake people are dangerous to be around. And the earlier you spot them, the better.

How to deal with fake people (even when it’s hard)

Dealing with fake people can be challenging, but there are some strategies you can use to manage these situations effectively. Here are the tips on how to deal with fake people:

Be aware

Knowing who are the fake people in your life is essential. You understand who you can and can’t trust, so you can avoid getting hurt by one’s lies.

Set boundaries

Setting clear boundaries and sticking to them is a fundamental strategy for dealing with fake people. Don’t hesitate to voice your doubts when someone lies to you or says things that are not true about you.

Keep your distance

Sometimes, the best way to deal with fake people is to stay away from them. It’s okay to limit your interactions with people who make you uncomfortable or who you don’t trust.

Confronting them

If someone is bothering you with their lies or unavoidable toxic behaviors, the best way is to confront them. Let them know their words and actions have an impact on other people and that you feel uncomfortable. Most fake people will restrain themselves when they get caught.

Surround yourself with positive people

It can be quite an emotional challenge to be around fake people. That’s why you’ll need positive influence for support. If you feel overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to ask for help from friends, families, or colleagues who are genuine, kind, and trustworthy.

Stay authentic

Never stop being a good person because of a bad person. The same applies to dealing with fake people.

When you are honest, genuine and treat people with kindness and compassion, you encourage those around you to do the same. And you attract people with the same core values and moral standards. Fake people will have no place in your circle as you set an example of who deserves to be in it.

How do you deal with fake people?

So here are the signs of fake people and how to deal with them. I hope they help you to spot them from a crowd and not get trapped by lies. Also, if you have a history of dealing with fake people, share your story in the comment!